ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Cabinet approves “FMBAP” for Flood Management Works in entire country and River Management Activities and works related to Border Areas during 2017-18 to 2019-20
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the "Flood Management and Border Areas Programme " for Flood Management Works in entire country and River Management Activities and works related to Border Areas for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20 with a total outlay of Rs.3342.00 crores.
Benefits:
The FMBAP Scheme will be implemented throughout the country for effective flood management, erosion control and anti-sea erosion. The proposal will benefit towns, villages, industrial establishments, communication links, agricultural fields, infrastructure etc. from floods and erosion in the country. The catchment area treatment works will help in reduction of sediment load into rivers.
Funding pattern:
The funding pattern for FM Component for works in general category States will continue to be 50%  : 50%  and for projects of North Eastern States, Sikkim, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the funding pattern will continue to be 70%  : 30% . RMBA component being specific to activities in border areas with neighbouring countries and in accordance with bilateral mechanisms, the projects / works will continue to be funded as 100% grant-in-aid / central assistance.
Salient features:
The Scheme "FMBAP" has been framed by merging the components of two continuing XII Plan schemes titled "Flood Management Programme " and "River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas ". The aim of the Scheme is to assist the State Governments to provide reasonable degree of protection against floods in critical areas by adopting optimum combination of structural and non-structural measures and enhancing capabilities of State / Central Government officials in related fields.
The works under the scheme will protect valuable land from erosion and flooding and help in maintaining peace along the border. The Scheme aims at completion of the on-going projects already approved under FMP. Further, the scheme also caters to Hydro-meteorological observations and Flood Forecasting on common rivers with the neighbouring countries. The Scheme also includes survey and investigations, preparation of DPR etc. of water resources projects on the common rivers with neighbouring countries like Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, Sapta Kosi-Sun Kosi Projects in Nepal which would benefit both countries.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari says it is the endeavor of our government to reach out to every last person of the society
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has said that it is the endeavor of our government to reach out to every last person of the society ,to help them in their development and serve them.
Inaugurating free equipment and material distribution program to senior citizens and differently-abled people in South Nagpur today under the Central Government's National Vayoshree and ADIP  scheme alongwith Union minister for Social justice and empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar ,Shri Gadkari said we are committed to the program.
In 2016, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ,Government issued the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in the country. Keeping this in mind, screening camps were organized for senior citizens and differently-abled people from 27 February to 23 April 2022 under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, in which about 36,000 people including 28,000 in Nagpur city and 8,000 in rural Nagpur were screened and 2 lakh 41 thousand equipment and materials will be distributed to all of them. The total cost of all these tools and materials is Rs 34.83 crore.
Programs are being organized in all the six assembly constituencies of Nagpur city for the distribution of these devices, today is the first program in this series. Total of 66 thousand devices have been given to 9,018 beneficiaries of Dakshin Nagpur Assembly Constituency, whose combined cost is more than Rs.9 crore.
43 types of these devices mainly include tools and materials such as three wheeler cycles , wheel chairs, walking sticks, digital hearing aids, smart phones with screen reading for the visually impaired, braille cans  alongwith prosthetic arms and legs.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID Relief Aid
15,567 Oxygen Concentrators; 15,801 Oxygen Cylinders; 19 Oxygen Generation Plants; 10,950 ventilators/Bi PAP; ~6.6 L Remdesivir vials delivered/ dispatched expeditiously to States and UTs, so far
Government of India has been receiving international cooperation of COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since 27th April 2021 from different countries/organisations. These are being promptly dispatched/delivered to the States and UTs.
Cumulatively, 15,567 Oxygen Concentrators; 15,801 Oxygen Cylinders; 19 Oxygen Generation Plants; 10,950 ventilators/ BiPAP; ~6.6 L Remdesivir vials delivered/ dispatched through road and air, from 27th April 2021 to 20th May 2021.
Major consignments received on 19/20th May 2021 from Wales , Qatar, Ontario , UAE, Spain, USISPF, Gilead, Eli Lily, Indian Danish Chamber of Commerce 
|
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Consignments
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Quantity
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Oxygen Concentrators
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2,474
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Ventilators/Bi-PAP/CPAP
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526
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Remdesivir
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|
27,356
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Baricitinib
|
|
1,09,172
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Favipiravir
|
|
104 boxesAdditionally, received Viral Transport Media Tubes.
Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise.
The Union Health Ministry is comprehensively monitoring this on a regular basis. A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as international cooperation in the form of grants, aid and donations. This Cell started functioning from 26th April 2021. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since 2nd May, 2021.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
34.46 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India reports 44,111 new cases in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload declines to 4,95,533; less than 5 lakh after 97 days
Active cases constitute 1.62% of total cases
2,96,05,779 Total Recoveries across the country so far
57,477 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Daily recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for the 51st consecutive day
Recovery Rate increases to 97.06%
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.50%
Daily positivity rate at 2.35%, less than 5% for 26 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 41.64 cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism organizes online Book Reading Session “Gandhi in Bombay” as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, the Indiatourism Mumbai, Regional Office of Ministry of Tourism in the Western Region organized an online book reading session of “Gandhi in Bombay’’ by the authors Dr. Usha Thakkar and Ms. Sandhya Mehta on 15th March 2021.
During this book reading session, the authors turned as story tellers and kept their audience engrossed with reading interesting lines from selected chapters from the book and there by transporting the participants back in time when Mahatma Gandhi walked the streets of Bombay, now Mumbai.
The authors mentioned how Mumbai the then Bombay, the nerve centre of Gandhi’s many political activities, earned an enviable place in India’s freedom struggle under his leadership. The authors recounted his days in Mani Bhavan and how in 1919, Gandhi initiated his first nationwide protest, the satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act, in this city, which propelled him to the position of a pre-eminent political leader. The authors also spoke about the other important movements launched by Mahatma Gandhi ji from Bombay namely Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920 and Quit India Movement in 1942 etc.
Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism in her opening remarks mentioned how the Ministry of Tourism has embarked on the path of celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by organizing various events along with participation of Travel Trade & hospitality members, Guides, Students, General Public/visitors etc. She also mentioned about the launch of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad on 12th March 2021 and flagging off the ‘Padyatra’  from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad.
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav  is a series of events to be organised by the Government of India to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. The Mahotsav will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari.
Dr. Usha Thakkar is the president of the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, India. She retired as Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai. Sandhya Mehta is a researcher at the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, India.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to visit Gujarat on 28 May
PM to address a Seminar of leaders of various cooperative institutions on ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’
PM to inaugurate the Nano Urea  Plant constructed at IFFCO, Kalol
PM to also visit Matushri K.D.P. Multispeciality Hospital in Atkot, Rajkot and address a public function
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on 28 May, 2022. At around 10:30 AM, Prime Minister will visit the newly built Matushri K.D.P. Multispeciality Hospital in Atkot, Rajkot. This will be followed by his address at a public function at the venue. Thereafter, at around 4 PM, Prime Minister will address the Seminar of leaders of various cooperative institutions on 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, where he will also inaugurate the Nano Urea  Plant constructed at IFFCO, Kalol.
PM in Gandhinagar
The cooperative sector of Gujarat has been a role model for the entire nation. There are more than 84,000 societies in the State in the Cooperative Sector. About 231 lakh members are associated with these societies. In yet another step towards further strengthening the cooperative movement in the state, the organization of a Seminar of leaders of various Cooperative institutions on 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' will take place at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. More than 7,000 representatives from various cooperative institutions of the State will participate in the Seminar.
In an effort to further provide farmers the means to boost productivity and help increase their income, Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Nano Urea  Plant constructed at IFFCO, Kalol at a cost of around Rs. 175 crores. The ultramodern Nano Fertilizer Plant has been established keeping in mind the increase in crop yield through the use of Nano Urea. The Plant will produce about 1.5 lakh bottles of 500 ml per day.
PM in Atkot, Rajkot
Matushri K.D.P. Multispeciality Hospital, which is being visited by the Prime Minister, is managed by Shree Patel Seva Samaj. It will make available high end medical equipment and provide world class healthcare facilities to the people of the region. The visit will be followed by Prime Minister’s address at a public function.
Ministry of Finance
FM holds Pre-Budget Consultation with representatives of Financial Sector and Capital Markets
The Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman held her second Pre- Budget Consultation meeting with the stakeholders from Financial Sector and Capital Markets in connection with the forthcoming General Budget 2020-21 here today.
The main areas of discussion during the meeting included issues namely increasing credit off take from Banks , Governance changes in PSBs with special focus on PJ Nayak Committee recommendations, Creation of a well functioning bond markets , benefits of Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme , Alternative Investment Funds in Real Estate Sector , measures for alleviating stress among NBFCs among others.
Along with the Finance Minister, the meeting was attended by Shri Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Finance Secretary, Shri Rajeev Kumar, Shri Atanu Chakraborty, Secretary, Economic Affairs , Shri Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Revenue Secretary, Shri Pramod Chandra Mody, Chairman, CBDT, Shri P.K Das, Chairman, CBIC, Dr K.V. Subramanian, CEA and other senior officials of Ministry of Finance.
With a view to give boost to Indian markets, the representatives of Financial Sector & Capital Markets submitted several suggestions concerning enhancing credit off take from banks , PSBs governance, Risk capital issues, improving functioning and alleviation of stress among NBFCs , Alternative Investment funds , Mutual funds , commercial papers and standardisation of Bond features, promoting leasing by reducing GST, reduction of GST rates on Term insurance for increasing its penetration and to provide easier credit to digitally active users by streamlining KYC norms . Suggestions were also received for enhancing support from Private Banks to Stand up India Scheme.
Major Stakeholders of Financial Sector and Capital Markets participated in the meeting including Shri N. S. Vishwanathan, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Shri Rajnish Kumar, Chairman, State Bank of India, Shri Supratim Bandopadhyay, WTM  PFRDA, Ms. Madhabi Puri Buch, Whole Time Member, SEBI, Shri L. V. Prabhakar . Executive Director, Punjab National Bank, Shri M.R. Kumar, Chairman, LIC, Shri Uday Kotak, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd, Shri S.L. Jain, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda, Shri Ashok Swarup, MD, Head of Government affairs and Business Development, CITI Bank, Shri Rashesh Shah, CEO, Edelweiss, Shri Rakesh Diwan, Senior General Manager, The Muthoot Group, Shri Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, MD & CEO, Bandhan Bank, Shri N.S. Venkatesh, Chief Executive, Association of Mutual Funds in India , Shri N.S. Kannan, CEO, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited, Shri Navin Ashok Kumar Chandani, Chief Business Officer, Bank Bazaar, Shri Raman Aggarwal, Co-Chairman, Finance Industry Confirm Development council , Shri Prasanna Balachander, Group Head Global Markets, ICICI Bank Ltd, Shri Rahul Shukla, Group Head, Corporate Banking and Confirm Business Banking, HDFC Bank Ltd, Shri Milind Kamble, Chairman, DICCI, Shri Prashant Tripathy, MD and CEO of Max Life Insurance among others.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
‘To the Desert’ is a movie showing contradictory emotions: Ulises Rosell
The inspiration for ‘To the Desert’ came from a true news story I had read, about kidnapping in Patagonia. The film uses real-life settings of abandoned houses, employing thereby a documentary approach to film-making. It was an opportunity for me to get involved in the exotic landscape of Patagonia.
- Ulises Rosell, Director
The shooting for the movie was quite difficult as the weather conditions were hard; I always wanted to show Patagonia on the cinema and my wish is fulfilled through this film
- Valentina Bassi, actress
Rosell and Bassi were addressing a joint press conference at the 49th International Film Festival of India, Goa today, November 23, 2018. Their film To the Desert is being screened under the World Panorama section of IFFI 2018.
“I was very happy when I heard that my film got selected in World Panorama section of IFFI which was like an opportunity to take my film to the other side of the world and we are really grateful for this opportunity”, Rosell said.
Narrating her character, Bassi said “Julia wants to escape in the beginning of the movie but she cannot as she is trapped in a vast open space; the emotions she feels are contradictory as she is dependent on the captor for her survival and she starts to admire the captor’s survival skills in the middle of nothing but at the same time she is very afraid of the harm he can inflict on her. Julia ends up believing that she would not tell anyone about the incidence.”
The film is thus also a story of a secret that should not be shared, added Rosell.
Backgrounder
Rosell is an award-winning Argentinian filmmaker with 12 feature films to his credit. Cast of the film & Rossel’s wife, Valentina Bassi is an Argentine film and television actress.
The film To the Desert revolves around Julia, a casino employee & Gwynfor, a Welsh descendent, who promises her an administrative position at the oil company where he works. Later on, what starts out as a morning appointment, résumé in hand, becomes a nightmarish journey in the middle of the arid landscape of Patagonia.
Ministry of Mines
Mines Ministry Invites Nominations for National Geoscience Awards -2022
The Ministry of Mines invites nominations for the National Geoscience Awards-2022 for contributions in the field of fundamental/applied geosciences, mining, and allied areas. The awards, instituted in 1966 and given annually, are an initiative of the Ministry to encourage geoscientists for striving toward excellence. The National Geoscience Awards are of three categories:
- National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement: Award for Lifetime Achievement  shall be given to an individual with an exceptionally high lifetime achievement for sustained and significant contributions in any of the disciplines mentioned in Clause-2 of NGA Regulation 2022. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 5,00,000/- and a certificate.
- National Geoscience Award: National Geoscience Award  shall be given to individuals or team in recognition of meritorious contribution in any of the disciplines mentioned in Clause-2 of NGA Regulation 2022. Each award carries a cash prize of Rs. 3,00,000/- and a certificate. In the case of a team award, the award money will be equally divided.
- National Young Geoscientist Award: Young Geoscientist Award  shall be given for outstanding research work in any field of geosciences to an individual below 35 years of age as on the 31st December 2021. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 plus a research grant of Rs. 5,00,000/- spread over five years subject to satisfactory yearly progress and a certificate.
Any citizen of India with a significant contribution in any of the fields specified in Clause-2 of the NGA Regulation 2022 shall be eligible for these awards. The nominations are being received online at National Awards Portal, i.e., https://www.awards.gov.in from 1st November 2022. The last date of receipt of nominations is 30th November 2022 . Nominations other than online mode through National Awards Portal will not be accepted.
For more details, may refer the ‘National Geoscience Awards Regulations 2022’ at the website https://www.awards.gov.in . Information can be also be obtained from Director , Ministry of Mines, Room No 306-D, Shastri Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi - 110001, Telefax - 01123385329, email: ngawards-mines[at]gov[dot]in
Ministry of Coal
Shortage of Coal in Haryana
As per Central Electricity Authority , the coal based  generation in Haryana during 2022-23  was 8807.94 Million Unit  against 4602.08 MU during the same period last year, thus registering a growth of 91%.
Coal India Limited, the largest supplier of coal in the country, has dispatched 152.49 MT of coal to Power Sector in the first quarter of the current fiscal surpassing all the previous highs of the same period and achieving a growth of 19% over last year same period. Similarly, Singareni Collieries Company Limited  has dispatched 14.43 MT of coal to Power Sector in the first quarter of the current fiscal achieving a growth of 4.1% over last year same period. As per Central Electricity Authority , coal stock at the power plants has improved from the level of 25.6 MT as on 31.03.2022 to 29.5 MT on 26.07.2022.
To address the issues of coal supplies to power sector, an Inter-Ministerial Sub Group comprising of representatives from Ministries of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, CEA, CIL and SCCL meet regularly to take various operational decisions to enhance supply of coal to thermal power plants as well as for meeting any contingent situations relating to Power Sector including to alleviate critical coal stock position in power plants. In addition to this, an Inter-Ministerial Committee  has been constituted comprising of Chairman, Railway Board, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Secretary, Ministry of Power to monitor augmentation of coal supply and power generation capacity. Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Chairperson, CEA are co-opted as Special Invitees as and when required by the IMC.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM meets 24 member delegation from J&K’s Apni Party
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met a 24 member delegation from Jammu & Kashmir’s Apni Party led by Shri Altaf Bukhari at Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi today.
In an interactive session, Prime Minister called for Janbhagidari in transforming Jammu & Kashmir and emphasized on the importance of an administration that gives voice to the people. Prime Minister also noted that the democracy in the region could be strengthened through a fast moving process of political integration.
Speaking on youth empowerment, Prime Minister said that youth should act as catalytic agents for the development of Jammu & Kashmir. He highlighted the importance of skill development and creating new employment opportunities for the youth to bring in an overall transformation of Jammu & Kashmir.
Prime Minister assured the delegation that the government is committed to economic development of the region through extensive focus on infrastructure development and creating new investment opportunities in sectors like tourism. He assured full support by the government to resolve all the issues being faced by Jammu & Kashmir.
Prime Minister engaged with the delegation on various issues like concerns on demographic changes, delimitation exercise and grant of state domicile. Referring to his statement in Parliament, Prime Minister underlined that the Government will work with all sections of the population to realize the hopes of state hood for Jammu and Kashmir at an early opportunity.
Apni Party President Shri Altaf Bukhari noted that 5th of August 2019, when the decision to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35-A was taken, was a watershed moment in the history of Jammu & Kashmir.
The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for his unstinted support and untiring efforts towards the development of Jammu & Kashmir. They also appreciated the efforts of the government, security agencies and the people of Jammu and Kashmir towards maintaining peace and security in the region.
Ministry of Textiles
The GST Council recommends deferring the earlier decision to change the rates in textiles recommended in the 45th GST Council meeting
Existing rates in Textiles Sector to continue beyond 1st January, 2022
Department of Revenue had notified GST @12 % on MMF, MMF yarn, fabrics and apparel on 18.11.2021which was to come into force from 1st January, 2022.
Fabrics and Apparel Industry represented against this revision of GST slab from 5% to 12%.
This Ministry under the able leadership of Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister for Textiles, Smt. Darshana Jardosh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles arranged meeting of a delegation of textiles industry and trade representatives with Hon'ble FM regarding the concerns of textiles industries.
After persuasion of HMoST, the GST Council’s 46th meeting was held today under the chairpersonship of the Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. The GST Council has recommended deferring the earlier decision to change the rates in textiles recommended in the 45th GST Council meeting. Consequently, the existing rates in textile sector would continue beyond 1st January, 2022.
Ministry of Textiles expresses its hearty thanks and is grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister and Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister for considering the requests of industry stakeholders especially in present challenging times when the sector is on the path of recovery.